Maria Walsh has revealed that she came face-to-face with a lethal snake while in Ghana.
The former Rose of Tralee travelled to Africa last week with children’s charity Plan International, and when she decided to go for a swim by a waterfall – things turned sour.
“It was murky water so you don’t really see what you’re walking into. I was taking it all in trying to enjoy the moment.”
Suddenly, one of the group pointed to a massive snake – headed directly towards Maria.
Close call: Maria had a near run in with a Cobra | VIPIRELAND.COM
“I kind of stepped back to the side, and this cobra, maybe two feet away from me, went right by. Its head was out of the water, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s kind of funny’ but it was only when we got out that the tour guide said ‘cobra’.”
Looking back on her close call, Maria realises how fatal it could have been as she wouldn’t have been able to receive treatment had she been bitten.
“The hospital was an hour away, there was no anti-venom. So while it’s hilarious in hindsight, in reality it could have been very bad,” she said.
Scary: The former Rose realises how fatal it could have been | BRIAN MCEVOY
Speaking about the purpose of her visit to Ghana with Plan International, Maria explained just how bad life is for young women living there.
“There’s a mentality there that believes young girls should get married and pregnant quite fast. That they shouldn’t sit in Mass if they’re menstruating and shouldn’t be involved in sports because they should be cooking at home.
“And rape is so prominent out there also, which really saddens me.”
Charitable: Maria is working with a children’s charity over in Ghana
Thankfully, Maria revealed that things are changing in the West African country as she sat in with officials and heard them discuss a longterm initiative to encourage change and protect Ghana’s children.
“Within this region there are thousands of teenage pregnancies, horrific rape and abuse cases and early leavers from their education systems.
“As a group we shared the room with the leaders from the police services, Plan Ghana, ministerial leaders and other supporting NGOs, all who fight for support in protecting the thousands of children in Ghana,” she added.
